Distance from Kandy – 40.8 km (1 hour 21 minutes)

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated in the Pinnawala village, about 41 km from Kandy. It is a breeding ground and nursery for orphaned Asian wild elephants. The orphanage was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Department of Wildlife Conservation. It is situated on a 25 acre coconut plantation next to the Maha Oya River.

As of Statistics obtained in 2011, there were 96 elephants, including 43 males and 68 females from 3 generations, living in the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Initially the orphanage was located at Wilpattu National Park. Thereafter it was shifted to the tourist complex at Bentota and then to the Dehiwala Zoo. From the Dehiwala Zoo it was finally shifted to Pinnawala. Visitors to the orphanage are allowed to feed the elephants.

Getting to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

From Kandy take the Colombo – Kandy Road and go past Peradeniya and Mawanella up until Rambukkana. At Rambukkana continue on the Kegalle – Rambukkana Road until you reach Pinnawala where the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is situated.

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